THis is for those who are interested in my favorite sport. I have been able to watch re-reuns of the RWC games the last couple of days, and I must say I saw some of the best matches I seen in years esp. by non Tri-Nations teams!

Me:
3 Years Scrum Half in College
2 Years at Wing in College
2 years Mens Club Scrum Half!

More concussions that I can count and I probably won't play Rugby again until I'm 34. I do want to coach it for High School Level College Club type if I Get the chance. one thing about Rugby I have played 7 years and that aint JACK squat comapred to those in other nations that have played since they were 5 years old.

I do like that American High Schools throughout the US are taken on Rugby as a sport that they sponosr. Cost is cheaper, finding coaches tougher, and kids are pansies nowadays.

Will be interesting to see where rugby is in the US in 3 year, 5 years and 10 year.

__________________

my scent?...like making love to a lumberjack
<TACKLE> i will ngata give you a bj raji
<+BOE> Scott, with Burfict's character concerns (whether legit or not) you think Pioli would draft him. :D
<+ScottWright> Why not. Baldwin does need a sparring partner...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermstheman83

What's with the hate on Ricky Stanzi? Those youtube clips of him with the hulk hogan theme music instantly make him better than Luck.

England's brave World Cup defence faltered at the final hurdle as South Africa claimed the sport's biggest prize for a second time with a 15-6 victory in the tournament finale at the Stade de France in Paris.
The Springboks ended England's remarkable assault on world-title glory by landing the Webb Ellis Trophy for a second time in 12 years.
But England, 80-1 no-hopers after losing 36-0 to South Africa in the pool stages 36 days earlier, made them fight every inch of the way.

And they could feel aggrieved at the final scoreline, given that wing Mark Cueto saw a 43rd-minute corner try not awarded by the video referee, while Springboks centre Francois Steyn's penalty clincher came after a dubious decision for obstruction.

In the end though, not even Jonny Wilkinson could complete England's mission improbable against a South African side - brilliantly coached by Jake White - that fulfilled what they always felt was their destiny.

Full-back Percy Montgomery kicked four penalties, while Wilkinson booted a double for England, yet their hopes of becoming the first country to successfully defend the World Cup ultimately floundered.

It was a typically resilient England performance though, despite them ending the final with reserve scrum-half Peter Richards in the back-row after substitute flanker Joe Worsley went off injured.

England fielded four survivors from their 2003 World Cup final starting line-up - Wilkinson, skipper Phil Vickery, lock Ben Kay and full-back Jason Robinson, who played his 51st and final Test match before retirement.

South Africa, meanwhile, had one World Cup winner - prop Os du Randt - who was a member of their successful 1995 campaign on home soil.

The Paris temperature plummeted as kick-off approached, but conditions were perfect, given a firm pitch and little wind to affect goalkickers.

And England made a promising start, putting immediate pressure on South Africa's back three through some steepling kicks, but the Springboks took a seventh-minute lead when Montgomery slotted a penalty after centre Mathew Tait slipped inside his own 22 and then failed to release possession.

Bath-bound James then tested England's defence with a neat chip and chase, but only after Wilkinson had arrowed an angled drop-goal attempt wide and Steyn drifted a long-range penalty attempt narrowly off target.

South Africa's renowned power game finally surfaced as half-time approached as they laid siege to England's line.

But the defending champions, epitomising the collective spirit that had taken them into a second successive final, refused to budge an inch.

Some ferociously-committed tackling kept the Springboks out when it looked certain as though they would score.

Montgomery though, who had his right knee bandaged after being on the receiving end of a crunching collision seconds earlier, stepped up to complete his penalty hat-trick with the final kick of an enthralling opening period.

Montgomery's strike took him past 100 points for the tournament, and trailing 9-3, England needed to regain a territorial foothold.

But Vickery, who appeared to take a couple of heavy blows to his left shoulder, did not reappear for the second half. He was replaced by Bath prop Matt Stevens, with flanker Martin Corry taking over leadership duties.

There was an embarrassing incident for tournament organisers when a spectator ran on to the pitch with a minute of the restart.

The real drama though, came just 60 seconds later as England looked to have forged ahead.

Tait made a brilliant 40-metre break from just inside South Africa's half, and with the Springboks' defence retreating, England recycled possession brilliantly, and Wilkinson's superb flick-pass looked to have put Cueto over.

But television match official - Australian Stuart Dickinson - had other ideas after a lengthy delay, deciding Cueto's knee grazed the touchline as he dived over.

Cueto's agonising shake of his head after the decision told its own story, yet Wilkinson kicked an immediate penalty, narrowing the gap to 9-6.

England saw Robinson limp off on 47 minutes - he failed to last the pool game against South Africa because of a hamstring injury - and Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss replaced him, with Tait switching to full-back.

It was a demoralising end to Robinson's England career, even though he would have been lifted by the ensuing standing ovation.

Montgomery and Steyn then slotted the kicks that ended England's reign as world champions, with South Africa counting down the clock in expert fashion and the men in white offering little attacking threat.

Seven minutes - Percy Montgomery kicks simple penalty from in front of the posts for 3-0, after Mathew Tait holds on in tackle following his slip.

12 mins - Jonny Wilkinson kicks superb penalty from the diagonal to draw England level at 3-3, after Bryan Habana is penalised for not releasing in the tackle.

16 mins - Percy Montgomery kicks a penalty to put South Africa back in front, 6-3, after an England player - unspecified by referee Alain Rolland - is adjudged to have tripped Butch James following the fly-half's up-and-under.

22 mins - Phil Vickery is penalised for joining in a ruck from the side, but Francois Steyn misses the resulting penalty from halfway.

36 mins - South Africa knock on a metre from England line, moments after Steyn splits defence with a mesmerising run down the middle.

40 mins - England penalised for hands in the ruck on the stroke of half-time, and Montgomery strokes over third successive penalty for 9-3.

43 mins - Mark Cueto dives over in left corner, after a great initial break by Tait, but 'try' controversially ruled out because winger's foot was in touch according to the video referee after much deliberation.

44 mins - An advantage was played in the lead-up to the disallowed try, and Wilkinson slots over penalty from 30 yards to reduce deficit to 9-6.

47 mins - Jason Robinson's stunning career comes to an end after he is forced off with what appears to be a groin injury.

50 mins - Montgomery boots another penalty after Martin Corry penalised for hands in the ruck. South Africa lead 12-6.

my scent?...like making love to a lumberjack
<TACKLE> i will ngata give you a bj raji
<+BOE> Scott, with Burfict's character concerns (whether legit or not) you think Pioli would draft him. :D
<+ScottWright> Why not. Baldwin does need a sparring partner...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermstheman83

What's with the hate on Ricky Stanzi? Those youtube clips of him with the hulk hogan theme music instantly make him better than Luck.

Honestly one of the most bland and boring world cups in history, if that is the future of Rugby around the world it's a dire outlook. If the northern hemisphere doesn't adopt the rule changes proposed in the south free flowing, attractive rugby may be dead forever, and that would be a tragedy. I've been playing since i was 8 years old (now 19) and I'm honestly scared for the survival of my favourite sport as a marketable commodity (in Australia anyway) if that world cup is a sign of things to come

I must say the northern hemisphere (especially Ireland and England) disgusted me... I love rugby and play recreation in a high school league. I grew up around rugby, being that my 3 of my dad's brothers and my dad play Rugby for a men's league.... great sport, like soccer and hockey needs more publicity in the states

__________________

Penn State University - Detroit Red Wings - New York Jets - Red Bull New York - Fulham FC

To watch? I feel dirty saying this but these days its Rugby League for me. I'm still going to play Rugby Union and classify myself as a Union guy, but the professional game is being ruined by the success of teams with just a dominant forward pack and a good kicking game (thankfully this doesn't filter down the the amatuer ranks). If they ever broadcast a 'State of Origin' game of Rugby League in the states (highly unlikely) i urge you to watch it, absolutely gripping stuff

I love watching rugby, but never got into playing it, since I played baseball, football and hockey. It's really a game that I wish would get more recognition in North America, although I think it's definately more recognized in Canada than the US. I think it takes a while to get into it, but once you do, you're hooked.

In all honesty England had to play the way they did in the World Cup as they simply didn't have the backs to play with width and pace, their strengths were obviously the forwards and they took advantage of it. Their scrum decimated the Aussies. But yes it wasn't pretty, no doubt.

Anyway I'm a huge Leicester Tigers fan in Rugby Union and Bradford Bulls fan in Rugby League, I played as flanker and centre for 3 years before I knackered my knees lol.

In the off season of Football I play some Half back/Center for the local Monterey Men's Club out here. It was my first game ever and I scored on Teddington RFC from England. Since Football started I stopped. I hope to continue as soon as Football is out with a couple of my friends.

my scent?...like making love to a lumberjack
<TACKLE> i will ngata give you a bj raji
<+BOE> Scott, with Burfict's character concerns (whether legit or not) you think Pioli would draft him. :D
<+ScottWright> Why not. Baldwin does need a sparring partner...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermstheman83

What's with the hate on Ricky Stanzi? Those youtube clips of him with the hulk hogan theme music instantly make him better than Luck.